This is the second in a three-part blog series designed to provide SAP customers with a better understanding of the available options for migrating to SAP HANA in the itelligence SAP Managed Cloud. The first blog focused on the reasons why SAP HANA in the itelligence SAP Managed Cloud provides a superior choice. This second blog focuses on the most common scenarios by which we help businesses choose the right migration path to SAP HANA from SAP ECC. Finally, the third part will focus on how businesses are then enabled to take advantage of the various new innovations from SAP HANA to run with maximum impact and an optimal user experience.

There is no easy button for a typical roadmap to SAP HANA. However, we can simplify the migration process significantly for your business if you first take advantage of the itelligence Managed Cloud to benefit from built-in advantages.

Scenario 1: I want to migrate to SAP HANA, hosted by itelligence (ECC 6 EhP 6 or higher already running SAP HANA):
This is the simplest of migrations and results in a standard homogeneous database migration into the itelligence data center. The process to migrate into the data center typically takes ~4-5 months of time to complete the migration. The majority of the time typically comes from multiple (2) test cycles (most testing in on interface validation/flow) before the final productive migration.

Scenario 2: I want to migrate to SAP HANA, hosted by itelligence (ECC 6 EhP 6 running on <ANYDB>):
This scenario is also straight forward. While it does result in a normal heterogeneous migration to move from <ANYDB> to SAP HANA, it is not out of the ordinary for a typical migration in the past. As with the homogeneous migration discussed above, the process typically takes ~4-5 months of time to complete the migration. The majority of the time typically comes from multiple (2) test cycles (most testing in on interface validation/flow) before the final productive migration.

Scenario 3: I want to migrate to SAP HANA, hosted by itelligence (version < ECC 6 EhP6 running on <ANYDB>):
This scenario has a couple of options on how to manage getting to SAP HANA in the itelligence Managed Cloud.

Option 1: Upgrade on-premise
This option calls for SAP ECC to be upgraded to the latest enhancement pack level for ECC in the on-premise landscape. This will then allow for a homogeneous migration into the itelligence Data Center at a later date. From a timing perspective, you must consider the timing of the upgrade and the associated testing. The testing for the migration into the data center is still required. So, the migration becomes a 2-step process (apply the EhP on-premise, then migrate to the itelligence Managed Cloud).

Option 2: Migration; then DMO
This option calls for a migration into the itelligence data center as is on the current <ANYDB>. The thought would be to migrate in as-is, stabilize, and then leverage the SAP Database Migration Option (DMO) tool to perform the upgrade and migration to SAP HANA in one step. The way the DMO tool works is similar to the SAP upgrade process. A ‘shadow’ database is created and generated with the current database up and running. At the appropriate time, the system is brought down and the final migration/activation steps are perform to ‘switch’ to the new SAP HANA database. More information about the DMO tool can be found on-line. This option moves the environment out of the on-premise model faster and allows for the customer to leverage additional data center capacity without making additional capital investments for compute power.

Why would I want an SAP Managed Cloud Provider like itelligence?

As is the case with big box stores, itelligence can buy in bulk to deliver better pricing for our customers. Our ability to purchase SAP HANA infrastructure in larger quantities, along with our knowledge of virtualization, give us an ability to obtain much larger discounts to deliver pricing advantages for our customers. In addition, because we support many ‘Productive’ SAP HANA customers, itelligence knows what it take to support our customers. Unlike other cloud providers, itelligence actually runs our own internal business systems on SAP HANA.

Author:
Bill Strasser

Bill Strasser is Vice President of Managed Services Customer Engagements at itelligence. With more than 18 years of IT & Supply Chain leadership in Automotive, Manufacturing and Medical Device, he is responsible for itelligence’s Managed Services Pre-Sales, including Managed Cloud and Application Management Services (AMS). Bill's SAP career spans a variety of industries with a focus on building IT organizations where IT and Business partner to significant value from the SAP platform. His specialized focus is on SAP Application Management Services and SAP HANA Transformation. He has worked at itelligence for nearly five years, and previously worked in served in roles that include ERP Director, Supply Chain Director, Manager of SAP Center of Excellence. While at itelligence he has served in the various roles, including Director of AMS Delivery and Director of Managed Services Presales. Bill holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Information Services from the University of Cincinnati and a MBA from Xavier University.